English Version 28. Bird Ellen and Young Tamlane
[Since there's only one English version there will not be versions attached to this page. Here is Child's background and below is information from T. G. Stevenson, C. K. Sharpe, James Maidment in 1868.]
Maidment's North Countrie Garland, 1824, p. 21. Communicated by R. Pitcairn, "from the recitation of a female relative, who had heard it frequently sung in her childhood," about sixty years before the above date. Version A
Motherwell informs us, Minstrelsy, p. xciv of Introduction, note to 141, that 'Burd Helen and Young Tamlene' is very popular, and that various sets of it are to be found traditionally current (1827). Still I have not found it, out of Maidment's little book; not even in Motherwell's large folio.
I cannot connect this fragment with what is elsewhere handed down concerning Tamlane, or with the story of any other ballad.
Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane- Child Text- Version A
Maidment's North Countrie Garland, 1824, p. 21. Communicated by R. Pitcairn, "from the recitation of a female relative, who had heard it frequently sung in her childhood," about sixty years before the above date.
1 Burd Ellen sits in her bower windowe,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow
Twisting the red silk and the blue.
With the double rose and the May-hay
2 And whiles she twisted, and whiles she twan,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow
And whiles the tears fell down amang.
With the double rose and the May-hay
3 Till once there by cam Young Tamlane:
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow
'Come light, oh light, and rock your young son.'
With the double rose and the May-hay
4 'If you winna rock him, you may let him rair,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow
For I hae rockit my share and mair.'
With the double rose and the May-hay
* * * * *
5 Young Tamlane to the seas he's gane,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow
And a' women's curse in his company's gane.
With the double rose and the May-hay
_________________
From: Four Books of Choice old Scottish Ballads 1823-1844, by T. G. Stevenson, C. K. Sharpe, James Maidment- Page 21; 1868
The following fragment was communicated to the Editor, by his friend R. Pitcairn, Esq. who took it down from the recitation of a female relative, who had heard it frequently sung in her childhood about sixty years since. To that gentleman he is indebted for the following notice:—
"Burd Ellen, referred to in the following fragment, is the Proud Eline, of the northren minstrels; the Burd Ellen of the Scots; La Prude Dame Eline, of the French; and the Gentle Lady Eline, of the English. The term Prud, which was afterwards corrupted into Burd, is equally applicable to Knights, as well as to Ladies, in the Danish, Swedish, and French languages. The Ritter Hin Prud of the Danish, the Preux Chevalier of the French and the Gentle Knight of the English ballads and romances, are identically the same.
"Young Tamlane, in like manner, is a very popular personage, in our romantic ballads, and appears under the variations of Thorn of Lynn, Thom-a-Lin, Tomlin. and Tom Linn, &c. Reference may be made to the Border Minstrelsy, where the Tale of Tamlane is prefaced by a very valuable dissertation, on the fairies of popular superstition ; and also to Jauiieson's Collection, for many interesting particulars.
" It is highly probable, that Burd Ellen, &c. may be a popular corruption of Bnrd-alayn, or Burdalane, which signifies an only child, a maiden," &c.
1. Burd Ellen sits in her bower windowe,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow,
Twisting the red silk and the blue,
"With the double rose and the May-hay.
II And whiles she twisted, and whiles she twan,
With a double, &c.
And whiles the tears fell down amang,
With the double, &c.
III. Till once there by cam Young Tamlane,
With a double, &c.
"Come light, oh light, and rock your young son!"
With the double, &c.
IV. "If you winna rock him, you may let him rair,"
With a double, &c.
" For I hae rockit my share and mair!
" With the double," &c.
*****
V. Young Tamlane to the seas he's gane,
With a double laddy double, and for the double dow,
And a' women's curse in his company's gane!
With the double rose and the May-hay.